Effect of electromagnetic field accompanying the magnetic resonance imaging on human heart rate variability - a pilot study.

Author: Derkacz A1, Gawrys J2, Gawrys K2, Podgorski M1, Magott-Derkacz A3, Poreba R1, Doroszko A1
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>a Department of Internal and Occupational Diseases, Hypertension and Clinical Oncology , Wroclaw Medical University , Wroclaw , Poland. <sup>2</sup>b Lower Silesian Oncology Center , Wroclaw , Poland. <sup>3</sup>c Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging , 4th Military Hospital , Wroclaw , Poland.
Conference/Journal: Int J Inj Contr Saf Promot.
Date published: 2017 Aug 30
Other: Volume ID: 1-3 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1080/17457300.2017.1363783. [Epub ahead of print] , Word Count: 135


The effect of electromagnetic field on cardiovascular system in the literature is defined in ambiguous way. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of electromagnetic field on the heart rate variability (HRV) during the examination with magnetic resonance. Forty-two patients underwent Holter ECG heart monitoring for 30 minutes twice: immediately before and after the examination with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). HRV was analysed by assessing a few selected time and spectral parameters. Is has been shown that standard deviation of NN intervals (SDNN) and very low frequency rates increased, whereas the low frequency:high frequency parameter significantly decreased following the MRI examination. These results show that MRI may affect the HRV most likely by changing the sympathetic-parasympathetic balance.

KEYWORDS: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); autonomic function; electromagnetic field; heart rate variability (HRV)

PMID: 28853316 DOI: 10.1080/17457300.2017.1363783